My father celebrated a big birthday last week. We were so sorry that we couldn’t be there with him. But we did send a little care package. Galen wrote him a story. The Wee Girl made him a watercolor and salt painting of “snowmen” and “snowballs” “because Pop-pop likes snow”, which is true enough. Iain and Elijah collaborated on art project, it’s a wood burning with painted details, of a moose of course.
I thought I would go for something a bit luxurious and made him a cashmere hat. Only it was the most disappointing cashmere ever. First let me say that I’ve never spent so much money on a skein of yarn in my life and I’m not likely to do it again any time soon. I asked Steve to pick me up some Jade Sapphire Brigadoon which is a washable cashmere. The color is “Black Watch”. I excitedly opened the bag and as soon as I touched it my face fell. That’s it?!? Then I spent around a week walking around randomly asking people to feel the cashmere yarn in one hand and the economy wool yarn, that was a tenth of the price, in the other and compare…the results were not good. For some reason, Steve wasn’t overly thrilled with my suggestion that he go back to the yarn store and fondle all the yarns before purchasing a replacement. I can’t imagine why, sounds like a perfectly lovely afternoon to me. The yarn store is on the way home from work for him, but too far away that there was any chance of my actually making a trip there anytime soon. Finally I sighed and balled it and started knitting. I will say that it does feel a good deal nicer once it’s all knitted up, but I’m still not terribly impressed.
The pattern is Windschief. I think there may be an error with the marker placement for the large size, though it’s possible that I just read it wrong. It also ended up shorter then I would have liked. After I finished it the first time I decided it really needed the extra length, so I ripped back to below the decrease section and added in a full inch more. I haven’t seen it on him yet, but both of my parents say it fits nicely, so I’m glad I did.
Love the creativity going on there! Beautiful gifts! Even the hat. I’m sure your dad will love them!
Lol. No men don’t see fondling yarn a wonderful afternoon treat.:) now hardware is another story.
Christina
Beautiful presents, and I am impressed by Galen’s story. Is that his handwriting? If so, amazing. I was wondering what curriculum you use. I would like to use a more Waldorf approach, but am not sure if I understand it well enough. It seems like your children are really thriving.
Thank you. Yes, that is his handwriting. I think he was trying to mimic a kind of stylized script that you might see in a book.
As far as curriculum goes, I don’t use any one in particular. For some subjects I kind of make it up as I go along. Others I use a variety of sources. I really like Donna Simmons’ work over at Christopherus: http://www.christopherushomeschool.org/home.html Their curriculum are great and I would highly recommend them, especially for the younger years and especially for someone just starting out with Waldorf.
Good luck! And please let me know if I can help in any other way. I’m always happy to answer questions.
Such beautiful gifts- perfectly homemade and heartfelt. and I love that hat pattern, and am thinking Andy would look handsome in it.
I had to laugh over your yarn story- I can imagine Andy’s reaction to asking him to just go back and please “fondle” the yarn, until you find the right one. I imagine a combination of shock, terror, bewilderment, and exasperation all rolled up in one look.
HUGS
Thank you!